Aspiration pump unit

ABSTRACT

The portable aspiration pump unit of the invention, for the aspiration of bodily fluids, has a pump assembly housing ( 1 ) with a pump assembly ( 6 ) and at least one secretion or fluid collection reservoir ( 2 ) detachably connected to this pump assembly housing ( 1 ). The pump assembly housing has a front wall ( 11 ), a rear wall ( 10 ), and a side wall ( 16 ) arranged between these two walls, while the front wall and the rear wall each have one wall edge ( 100, 110 ) projecting beyond this side wall, and the fluid collection reservoir is held between these wall edges. In this way, the fluid collection reservoir can be secured easily to the pump assembly housing, yet be held firmly and protected inside it. This aspiration pump unit enables a simple and secure replacing of the fluid collection reservoir and affords the patient a heightened mobility.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a U.S. National Phase Application pursuant to35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/CH2007/000220 filedMay 3, 2007, which claims priority to Swiss Patent Application No.00749/06 filed on May 9, 2006. The entire disclosure content of theseapplications are herewith incorporated by reference into the presentapplication.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention concerns an aspiration pump unit and a fluid collectionreservoir.

PRIOR ART

For the suctioning of bodily fluids or secretions from body cavities orwounds, stationary aspiration systems have generally been used in thefield of medicine, especially for thoracic drainage. These aspirationsystems basically consist of a suction source, especially a vacuum pump,a fluid or secretion collection reservoir, a surge tank arranged inbetween them, as well as connection lines, namely, a drainage line goingfrom a patient to the secretion reservoir, a connection line going fromthe secretion reservoir to the surge tank, and a vacuum line connectingthe surge tank to the suction source.

While these aspiration systems have proven to work well in practice, itis essential to the healing process, especially after surgery in thechest region, for the patient to be able to move and leave his or herbed as soon as possible.

Therefore, it has already been proposed to secure all the aforesaidcomponents of the drainage system on a movable frame, so that thepatient can gain a certain mobility, at least within the hospital.

Moreover, portable aspiration units are known, which substantiallyimprove the mobility range of the patient. These portable aspirationunits are used for the most part in wound drainage.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,525, however, discloses a portable pump unit whichis said to be suitable for thoracic drainage. It can be fastened to thepatient's body and thus allows him to move freely and relativelyunimpeded. A vacuum pump, an energy source, a vacuum chamber and asecretion collecting reservoir are integrated in this drainage pumpunit. The vacuum chamber is arranged in a first part, the secretioncollecting reservoir in a second part and the vacuum pump in a thirdpart. The first and third part in the working position are arrangedabove the second part and detachably joined to each other, as well as tothe second part. Drainage connectors and vacuum connectors join thecorresponding parts to each other. This device is relatively complex inconstruction and, what is more, it is not very easy to clean.

WO 99/10024 describes a portable pump unit for thoracic drainage, whichis connected via an external line to an equally portable kidney-shapedsecretion collecting reservoir. This device has the drawback that twoseparate units have to be carried, and what is more they are joined toeach other via a hose.

In addition, EP-A-1,184,043 discloses a small-size aspiration pump,especially for wound drainage, which has a catchment reservoir foraspirated material and a cover, with all pump components essential toits working being integrated in the cover of the reservoir.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to create a portableaspiration pump unit for the aspiration of bodily fluids, which affordsthe patient the greatest possible mobility and permits an easyattendance of the unit.

This object is fulfilled by a portable aspiration or drainage pump unitfor the aspiration of bodily fluids and/or air, wherein the aspirationpump unit has a pump assembly housing with a pump assembly and at leastone fluid collection reservoir detachably connected to this pumpassembly housing, wherein the pump assembly housing has a front wall, arear wall, and a side wall arranged between these two walls, wherein thefront wall and the rear wall each have one wall edge projecting beyondthis side wall, and the fluid collection reservoir is held between thesewall edges wherein the fluid collection reservoir can swivel in and outbetween the wall edges.

The portable aspiration pump unit of the invention, for the aspirationof bodily fluids and/or air, has a pump assembly housing with a pumpassembly and at least one secretion or fluid collection reservoirdetachably connected to this pump assembly housing. The pump assemblyhousing has a front wall, a rear wall, and a side wall arranged betweenthese two walls, while the front wall and the rear wall each have onewall edge projecting beyond this side wall, and the fluid collectionreservoir is held between these wall edges. In this way, the fluidcollection reservoir can be secured easily to the pump assembly housing,yet be held firmly and protected inside it.

The patient can carry the aspiration pump unit around with him or her inmany different ways. He can hang it from his neck by a strap, fasten itto a belt, or wear it over the shoulder by a strap. If he is bedridden,he can place the unit on a table or simply hang it from the bed.

What is more, fluid collection reservoirs of different size can be usedwith the same housing. This allows one to lower the fabrication andoperating expenses.

In one preferred embodiment, the fluid collection reservoir is held andcan swivel in and out between the wall edges. Preferably, the reservoiris held and hinged in a lower region and can be locked to the pumpassembly housing in an upper region.

Preferably, the reservoir can be removed entirely from the housing.Replacement of the reservoir is facilitated if the reservoir can besnapped into the housing.

The invented aspiration pump unit is used for medical purposes,especially for thoracic drainage and for wound drainage. However, otherareas of application are possible, for example, for the aspiration ofbodily fluids during surgery or for liposuction.

Especially in the case of thoracic and wound drainage it is beneficialfor the device to remain in constant operation so that a permanentvacuum can be applied, which is actively maintained. Not only does thisspeed up the healing, but also it lowers the operating expenses, sincethe device is not used as long and therefore does not have to be rentedfor as long as the conventional device.

It is a further object of the invention to create a fluid collectionreservoir which can be used in particular for aspiration pump units ofsaid type and which prevents contamination of the suction line or of thesuction pump with aspirated fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The object of the invention shall be explained hereafter by means ofpreferred sample embodiments, which are represented in the encloseddrawings. These show:

FIG. 1, a perspective view of an aspiration pump unit according to theinvention in a first embodiment;

FIG. 2, the aspiration pump unit of FIG. 1, looking into the interior ofthe housing;

FIG. 3, the aspiration pump unit of FIG. 1 with the fluid collectionreservoir partly swiveled out, in perspective view, looking from oneside;

FIG. 4, the aspiration pump unit of FIG. 3 in perspective view lookingfrom a second side;

FIG. 5, a top view of the aspiration pump unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6, a top view of the invented aspiration pump unit in a secondembodiment;

FIG. 7, a perspective representation of an adapter according to theinvention, for a tube located at the patient's side;

FIGS. 8 and 9, a perspective view of two parts of the housing in a thirdembodiment;

FIG. 10, a perspective view of a fluid collection reservoir suitable forthe housing of FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 11, a perspective view of a first part of the fluid collectionreservoir of FIG. 10 and

FIG. 12, a perspective view of a second part of the fluid collectionreservoir of FIG. 10.

WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first sample embodiment of the invented aspirationpump unit. It consists essentially of a pump assembly housing 1 with apump assembly 6 arranged therein and visible in FIG. 2 and at least onefluid collection reservoir 2. Preferably, there is exactly one fluidcollection reservoir 2 present. The pump assembly 6 serves to create thepartial vacuum necessary for the aspiration. The fluid collectionreservoir 2 can be connected to the pump assembly 6, so that the partialvacuum can be created in the reservoir 2. The collection reservoir 2 isconnected via an aspiration tube or a secretion line 30 to a cavity orwound of the patient, from which it is needed to aspirate the bodilyfluid, while the reservoir 2 collects the aspirated bodily fluid.

Preferably, not only the secretion line 30 goes to the patient, but sodoes a metering line 31, by which the pressure, for example, or thequantity of flow in the secretion line can be measured. For this,preferably, a double-lumen patient tube 3 is used, which contains bothlines 30, 31. The tube 3 can be led out in a straight line from thehousing 1, as depicted here. However, it can also be arranged with abend, or one can use a bent adapter piece in which the tube 3 can beinserted.

Preferably, the tube 3 is placed onto an adapter 7. This adapter isshown in detail in FIG. 7. It is preferably made of plastic by means ofan injection molding technique. It has a double pipe connector piece 71,on or in which the double-lumen patient's tube 3 can be inserted. Aflange 70 is molded on this pipe connector piece 71, which lies againstthe housing 1 and by means of which the adapter 7 can be secured in thehousing 1, for example, by clamping. The part of the adapter 7 insidethe housing has a bent coupling piece 72 for a secretion connector 19 atthe housing and a connection piece 73 for the metering line 31 or lines.The end 74 opposite the coupling piece 72 is closed.

The pump assembly 6 basically consists of an electric motor 60, astorage element 61, here, batteries, and a vacuum pump 62. The motor 60is preferably flanged onto the pump 62 and the vacuum pump 62 ispreferably secured onto the housing 1. All familiar pumps ofsufficiently small size and having enough power for the correspondingapplication are suitable. The flow rate is preferably around 5 l/min.Preferably, a dual-action membrane pump is used.

The assembly 6 is preferably arranged approximately in the middle orcenter of the housing 1. It is beneficial for the assembly 6 to bearranged such that the common center of gravity of the housing 1 and theassembly 6 prevents the housing 1 from tilting to the side when one iscarrying it.

The pump assembly housing 1 is essentially shaped as a cuboid, having arear wall 10, a front wall 11 running approximately parallel to thelatter, a first side wall 16 arranged between these walls, a second sidewall 17 running approximately parallel to the first side wall 16, and atop wall 12 and a bottom wall not visible in the figure. The housing 1is preferably made of plastic or metal. The rear wall 10 and the frontwall 11 can be configured planar. However, as can be seen in FIG. 3, thefront wall 11 can also have a central, outwardly projecting bulge 112.The rear wall 10 can be curved inward, so as to conform to the shape ofthe human body and thus lie better against the body. The front wall 11can also be curved accordingly.

Preferably, the rear wall 10 and the front wall 11 have the largest wallsurfaces. Furthermore, the top and bottom wall 12 are configured longerthan the side walls 16, 17, so that the housing 1 forms a horizontallyplaced cuboid.

In the figures, the means of fastening for corresponding clamps andstraps for carrying the portable aspiration pump unit are not depicted.However, they are preferably located on the rear wall or the side wallsof the housing.

Operating elements for the pump assembly 6 are present in the housing 1.These elements are preferably arranged in the top wall 12. In theexample depicted here, a main switch 5 is present to turn the unit orthe device on and off. Furthermore, there is a display and operatingfield 15, where status information about the device, the suctionprocess, and other information helpful to an optimal aspiration can bedisplayed or consulted. For example, the air flow through the secretionline 30 can be metered and presented in the display field 15. It is alsopossible to arrange a data storage element in the housing 1, in order tosave measurement data and show it on the display field 15 by enteringproper command instructions.

Furthermore, the vacuum pump 62 or the motor 60 can be activated viathis field 15 or desired aspiration parameters can be entered orselected. Preferably, the field 15 is a touch-screen field of familiarkind. However, it is also possible to use, in place of such a field,operating buttons and switches and, optionally, a familiar LCD display.Moreover, these elements can also be arranged in a different wall.

The rear wall 10 and the front wall 11 project by their edges at leastbeyond the first side wall 16, preferably both side walls and also thebottom and top wall. The field 15 is protected against unintentionalactivation by the projecting walls 10, 11.

The fluid collection reservoir 2 is likewise approximately cuboid inshape. It has two walls 22 running approximately parallel to each otherand being approximately plane, forming the front and rear wall. The sameholds for the side walls and the top and bottom wall.

This fluid collection reservoir 2 is held in the housing 1 and can bedetached and preferably removed entirely from it. For this, the rearwall 10 and the front wall 11 of the housing have regions, heredesignated as the front wall edge 110 and rear wall edge 100 thatproject beyond the first side wall 16. These wall edges 100, 110 arepreferably formed curved, having an indentation in their own wallsurface. The reservoir 2 is held between these wall edges 100, 110,while the curved regions facilitate the grasping and manual holding ofthe reservoir 2.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the reservoir is arranged so that itcan be swung in and out between the two edges 100, 110. In its lowerregion, it is held so that it can swing between the wall edges 100, 110.Preferably, it can be snapped into this position. For this,corresponding bolts are present on the front and rear wall 22 of thereservoir 2 and corresponding recesses are present in the wall edges100, 110. Of course, the bolts can also be in the wall edges 100, 110and the recesses in the reservoir 2. Furthermore, other kinds offastening are also possible, such as allow for a swinging movement and asubsequent removal of the reservoir 2. In at least this region, theshape of the front and rear wall 22 of the reservoir 2 conforms to theshape of the wall edges 100, 110.

The reservoir 2 can be locked to the housing 1 in an upper region. Forthis, the reservoir 2 has a recess 20, in which a retaining lug 14 ofthe housing 1 can engage. The retaining lug 14 can be released fromengagement with the recess 20 by an unlocking button or switch 13, sothat the reservoir 2 can be swung outward. The unlocking button 13 ispreferably arranged in the top wall 12. As additional support, thereservoir 2 can be provided with projecting pegs on its front and itsrear wall, which are pressed against the wall edges 100, 110, so thatthe reservoir 2 does not automatically drop out from the device 1 afterreleasing the locking.

To connect the housing 1 or assembly 6 to the fluid reservoir 2, avacuum connector 18 at the housing side and the secretion connector 19at the housing side are arranged in the housing 1, as can be seen fromFIG. 3. The pendants at the reservoir side can be seen in FIG. 4. Thevacuum connector at the reservoir side is designated 24 and thesecretion connector at the reservoir side is designated 25. Bothconnectors are arranged in a side wall 23 of the reservoir 2. The vacuumconnectors 24, 18 for the connection between vacuum pump 62 andreservoir 2. The secretion connectors 19, 25 connect the reservoir 2 tothe adapter 7, which can be connected to the secretion line 30.

If the reservoir 2 is removed, the connector 25 at the reservoir sidecan be closed off by means of a closure element 4. This is preferablyfastened to the reservoir 2, as can be seen in FIG. 4. It has a stem anda closure cap arranged at the end of the stem. The closure cap issuitable for closing off the connector 25. The connector 24 can beclosed by a filter (not shown), which automatically closes completelywhen saturated with moisture. Other types of closure are also possible.

In FIG. 2 it can be seen that the projecting edges of the pump assemblyhousing 1, namely, a back and a front bottom edge 101, 111, form astanding surface for resting on a surface, such as a table. However, thefluid collection reservoir 2 preferably ends with its bottom floor abovethis standing surface, so that it hangs free in the housing 1. As can beseen from FIG. 5, however, it is held and guided between the two walledges 100, 110. Furthermore, one can see that the reservoir 2 projectsbeyond the housing 1 preferably on only a single side.

The size of the reservoir 2 can vary. In FIG. 5, a relatively shortreservoir 2 is shown, in FIG. 6 a longer reservoir 2. They need onlyhave the same shape in the region between the wall edges 100, 110, sothat they can both be fastened in the same housing 1. The rest of theshape is arbitrary.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show two opposing parts of a pump assembly housing 1 in athird sample embodiment. These two parts form the rear wall 10 (FIG. 8)and the front wall 11 (FIG. 9) of the housing 1. Both parts arepreferably in each case formed in one piece from plastic in an injectionmolding process.

The two parts 10, 11 are designed such that they can be inserted intoone another, with said parts 10, 11 being held spaced apart from oneanother. For this purpose, perpendicularly projecting insertion mandrels113, and opposing receiving sleeves 114 which are matched thereto, arearranged at the insides of said parts 10, 11. Said insertion mandrels113 and receiving sleeves 114 are also preferably injection-molded inone piece with the walls.

One or both of the two walls, here the rear wall 10, can be providedwith a handle 12′. A trough 120 is preferably arranged on the handle12′, the bulge of which trough 120 is open in the upward direction. Saidtrough 120 serves to receive or fasten the patient's tube 30, so thatthe latter is held so as to be guided along the pump.

At least one part 10, 11, preferably both parts, are provided at theirend-side edge with an upper and a lower slotted guide 115, 116. The twoopposite upper slotted guides 115 have a widened insertion opening andan adjoining, horizontally-running end region which is aligned inwardsaway from the edge. The two opposite lower slotted guides 116 likewisehave a widened entry region. This however merges, likewise inwards awayfrom the edge, into a lower end region which is aligned obliquelydownward. Said slotted guides 115 and 116 serve to hold and retain thefluid collection reservoir 2.

A corresponding plastic fluid collection reservoir 2 is shown in FIG.10. In the region of a side wall 23, said fluid collection reservoir 2has upper and lower pins or pegs 21, 21′ which are integrallyinjection-molded in one piece onto the rear wall or front wall andproject substantially perpendicularly therefrom.

In order to now detachably fasten the collection reservoir 2 to thehousing 1, said collection reservoir 2 is first inserted with its lowerpins 21′ into the lower slotted guide 116 up to the stop, andsubsequently snapped with the upper pins 21 into the upper slotted guide115, or into its end position, by means of a pivoting movement about thepivot axis defined by the end position of the lower slotted guide 116.The same type of fastening is also preferable for the sample embodimentsmentioned further above. The pegs can also be arranged on the housing,and the slotted guides on the reservoir. However, other types offastening are possible.

As can be seen in FIG. 10, in the case of this collection reservoir 2,the vacuum connection 24 at the reservoir and the secretion connection25 at the reservoir are no longer of the same design as in the sampleembodiment above. The adapter piece 70 also need not strictly bearranged in a front or rear wall 10, 11 but can also be arranged atanother point of the housing 1, for example in an end side. Furthermore,instead of a recess, the reservoir 2 is provided with an engagement rib23′ for fixing the reservoir 2 to the housing 1, into which engagementrib 23′ the retaining lug of the housing 1 can engage. The lug and therecess or rib can also alternatively be arranged on the reservoir or onthe housing. These features can be combined with one another in anydesired manner, and can also be used in the examples mentioned above.

The reservoir 2 can be provided with a single chamber. The interiorspace of said reservoir 2 is however preferably designed so as to bedivided, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. This reservoir can be used in allof the sample embodiments. Said reservoir is additionally also suitablefor other types of drainage pumps.

The reservoir 2 is composed of two plastic injection-molded parts 2′, 2″which are joined to form a common reservoir. Said parts 2′, 2″ arepreferably designed so as to be transparent. The two parts 2′, 2″ can beplugged together and if appropriate fused to one another. Both parts 2′,2″ are provided in the interior space with various ribs, which aredescribed in detail in the following. The two parts 2′, 2″ havecongruent ribs, so that, when said parts 2′, 2″ are joined together,they form common chambers and regions. The ribs are preferably fused oradhesively bonded to one another when they are joined together, so as togenerate an air-tight and liquid-tight connection.

The vacuum connection 24 at the reservoir is arranged in the upperregion of the reservoir 2, preferably in the side wall 23 which isprovided laterally with the pegs 21, 21′ for snapping into the housing1. The vacuum connection 24 is formed by a continuous opening in saidside wall 23. The opening 24 leads into a vacuum chamber 26, 26′ whichis completely sealingly divided from the rest of the interior space ofthe reservoir 2 with the exception of a vacuum passage 261. The latteris provided by means of a first curved rib 260 in the first part 2′ anda second rib 260′, which is of the same shape as said first rib 260, inthe second part 2″. The passage 261 can be arranged in the first part 2′or, as illustrated here, in the second part 2″, or can be arranged atthe connecting point of the two ribs 260, 260′. The vacuum passage 261is preferably arranged in the upper region, adjacent to the upper wallof the reservoir 2.

Following adjacent to this vacuum chamber 26, 26′, likewise along theupper wall, is an intermediate chamber 27, 27′. The vacuum passage 261connects the vacuum chamber 26, 26′ to the intermediate chamber 27, 27′.The intermediate chamber 27, 27′ is preferably formed by a third rib270, which is bent at right angles, in the first part 2′, and by acongruent rib 270′ in the second part 2″. Again provided in one of thetwo parts or in the intermediate region is a passage, referred to hereas an intermediate passage 271, which connects the intermediate chamber27, 27′ to the rest of the interior space of the reservoir 2. Theintermediate passage 271 is preferably situated in a region remote fromthe vacuum chamber 26, 26′.

The two passages 261 and 271 are of relatively narrow design. It ishowever also possible for a plurality of passages to be provided. Saidpassages should be small enough to prevent as far as possible a returnflow of the secretion or of the aspirated fluid, and large enough thatthe reservoir can be acted on as quickly as possible with the appliedvacuum.

Arranged below the intermediate chamber 27, 27′ and below theintermediate passage 271 in both parts 2′, 2″ is in each case oneinclined rib 28, 28′ which extends downwards from the intermediatepassage 271 towards the vacuum chamber 26, 26′. The inclined ribs 28,28′ divide the interior space into an upper and lower region, with theupper region enclosing a significantly smaller volume than the lowerregion. The inclined ribs (28, 28′) preferably extend together over asignificant part of the width, but not over the entire width, of thereservoir 2, and over the entire depth of said reservoir 2. In this way,the aspirated fluid must flow downwards along the inclined rib 28, 28′.

The lower region can also be provided with vertically-running dividingribs 290, 290′, 291 which can extend over almost the entire height ofthe lower region or only over a short lower part thereof.

The secretion connection 25 is arranged in the lower region. The lowerregion therefore serves to receive the aspirated fluid and forms asecretion chamber 29, 29′. The dividing ribs 290, 290′, 291 divide saidchamber into sub-chambers which are fluidically connected to oneanother. Here, however, said sub-chambers prevent the accumulated fluidfrom surging back and forth. The inclined ribs 28, 28′ prevent the fluidspraying into the upper region and, in the event of the reservoir beingin a slightly inclined position, prevent the fluid from flowing backinto said region. The narrow passage openings and in particular thelabyrinth-like arrangement as a result of the intermediate or expansionchamber prevent fluid, which has nevertheless passed into the upperregion, from advancing as far as the vacuum connection.

In one embodiment which is not shown, the ribs are arranged in only onepart, and the second part is of flat design and serves as a cover.

The intermediate chamber 27, 27′ is optional but preferable, since itavoids a direct connection between the vacuum chamber 26, 26′ and thesecretion chamber 29, 29′.

All of the fluid collection reservoirs described above can be producedin different sizes.

The invented aspiration pump unit enables a simple and secure replacingof the fluid collection reservoir and affords the patient a heightenedmobility.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1 pump assembly housing-   10 rear wall-   100 back wall edge-   101 back floor edge-   11 front wall-   110 front wall edge-   111 front floor edge-   112 bulge-   113 insertion mandrel-   114 receiving sleeve-   115 upper slotted guide-   116 lower slotted guide-   12 top wall-   12′ handle-   120 trough-   13 release button-   14 retaining lug-   15 display and operating field-   16 first side wall-   17 second side wall-   18 vacuum connector at housing-   19 secretion connector at housing-   2 fluid collection reservoir-   2′ first part-   2″ second part-   20 recess-   21 upper peg-   21′ lower peg-   22 rear wall-   23 side wall-   23′ engagement rib-   24 vacuum connector at the reservoir-   25 secretion connector at the reservoir-   26 first part of the vacuum chamber-   26′ second part of the vacuum chamber-   260 first rib-   260′ second rib-   261 vacuum passage-   27 first part of the intermediate chamber-   27′ second part of the intermediate chamber-   270 third rib-   270′ fourth rib-   271 intermediate passage-   28 first inclined rib-   28′ second inclined rib-   29 first part of the secretion chamber-   29′ second part of the secretion chamber-   290 first long dividing rib-   290′ second long dividing rib-   291 short dividing rib-   3 patient's tube-   30 secretion line-   31 metering line-   4 closure element-   5 main switch-   6 pump assembly-   60 motor-   61 battery-   62 vacuum pump-   7 adapter-   70 flange-   71 pipe connector-   72 coupling piece-   73 connection piece-   74 end

1. A portable aspiration pump unit for the aspiration of bodily fluidsand/or air, wherein the aspiration pump unit has a pump assembly housingwith a pump assembly and at least one fluid collection reservoirdetachably connected to the pump assembly housing, wherein the pumpassembly housing has a front wall, a rear wall, and a side wall arrangedbetween the front wall and the rear wall, wherein the front wall and therear wall each have one wall edge projecting beyond the side wall, andwherein the fluid collection reservoir a) is held between the walledges, b) can swivel in and out between the wall edges in order to mountthe reservoir to the housing and to remove the reservoir from thehousing, c) projects beyond the wall edges when mounted to the housing,d) is held and hinged in a lower region between the wall edges andconfigured to be locked to the pump assembly housing in an upper region,and e) has projecting pegs and the housing has lateral slotted guides,the pegs and slotted guides are configured to be placed in engagementwith one another.
 2. The aspiration pump unit as claimed in claim 1,wherein a retaining lug is provided, which can, by means of an unlockingelement, be released from an engagement which fixes the fluid collectionreservoir.
 3. The aspiration pump unit as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe fluid collection reservoir can be snapped into the pump assemblyhousing in the lower region.
 4. The aspiration pump unit as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the pump assembly housing has a standing surface forresting on a surface and wherein the fluid collection reservoirterminates with a bottom floor above the standing surface.
 5. Theaspiration pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pump assemblyhousing is formed essentially as a cuboid.
 6. The aspiration pump unitas claimed in claim 1, wherein the pump assembly comprises at least amotor and a vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is a membrane pump andwherein the pump assembly is arranged approximately central in the pumpassembly housing.
 7. The aspiration pump unit as claimed in claim 1,wherein the fluid collection reservoir projects beyond the pump assemblyhousing on only a single side.
 8. The aspiration pump unit as claimed inclaim 1, wherein a connector for a patient's tube is arranged in thefront wall.
 9. The aspiration pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein avacuum connector and a secretion connector are arranged in the side wallof the pump assembly housing.
 10. The aspiration pump unit as claimed inclaim 1, further including an adapter for a patient's tube, wherein theadapter can be introduced into a wall of the pump assembly housing andthe adapter can be connected to the pump assembly and the fluidcollection reservoir.
 11. The aspiration pump unit as claimed in claim8, wherein the connector is configured to accommodate a double-lumenpatient's tube consisting of a secretion tube and a metering tube. 12.The aspiration pump unit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the adapter isconfigured to accommodate a double-lumen patient's tube consisting of asecretion tube and a metering tube.
 13. The aspiration pump unit asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the reservoir can be detached and removedentirely from the housing.
 14. The aspiration pump unit as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the reservoir is approximately cuboid in shape.
 15. Theaspiration pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reservoircomprises a front wall, a rear wall, side walls, a top wall, and abottom wall.
 16. The aspiration pump unit as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe housing comprises curved regions which facilitate grasping andmanual holding of the reservoir.